Corey Abbott

Playoff Preview

Eastern Semi-Finals

The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't manhandle the New York Islanders the way some pundits, including myself, expected them to but they did move on into the second round in six games thanks to the relief netminding of backup Tomas Vokoun. The Ottawa Senators proved to be as stingy as advertised and behind the remarkable play of goaltender Craig Anderson, they quickly dispatched the Northeast Division champion Montreal Canadiens in five games. The Boston Bruins blew a 3-1 series lead against Toronto, but they stormed back from a three-goal deficit in the third period to claim Game 7 in overtime and advance into the second round. The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals exchanged wins on home ice throughout their quarterfinal series until the Blueshirts won the deciding contest in dominating fashion, by a score of 5-0, on the road in Game 7.

The Penguins will host Senators in the Eastern Conference Semifinals Tuesday night, while the Bruins will entertain the Rangers on Thursday. New York is the only team among the four that qualified for Round 2 of the postseason last season. Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Boston all lost in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It should be pointed out again that you will see projected lineups below, but they are subject to change on a game-to-game and sometimes shift-to-shift basis.

Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs. Ottawa Senators (7)

The Penguins defeated the Senators three times in three meetings during the regular season, with one victory coming in the shootout, and they outscored them by an 8-4 margin. Anderson started all three games for the Senators, while Marc-Andre Fleury and Vokoun shared starts in the regular season series. Vokoun, who should get the nod in Game 1 Tuesday night when Round 2 begins, played against Ottawa at the tail end of the year and stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 3-1 win.

Pittsburgh appeared to be drowning again in bad habits versus the Islanders in the first round. Their defensive play was not good enough and neither was the goaltending of Fleury, who posted a 3.40 GAA and an .891 save percentage. It was very similar to the woes they experienced in the 2012 playoffs against Philadelphia so a change had to be made. Vokoun entered the series in Game 5 and posted a shutout. He followed up that impressive performance by turning aside 35 of 38 shots in a 4-3 overtime win to send the Penguins into the second round.

The Senators and Canadiens may have begun what could be a very bitter rivalry with a physical and at times nasty opening-round series. Eric Gryba's devastating hit on Montreal's Lars Eller became the lightning rod for the ill will. Eller was knocked out on the play and Gryba got a two-game suspension. Ottawa coach Paul MacLean and Habs bench boss Michel Therrien exchanged verbal barbs throughout the series. Senators goalie Craig Anderson was the hockey-related story of the series, as his play was the main reason for Ottawa's victory. He posted a 1.80 GAA and a .950 save percentage to backstop his club into the second round.

The Penguins survived their scare against the Islanders, which should make them more comfortable against the Senators. Ottawa may not attack them with same speed that the Islanders did, which means that Pittsburgh could attack them in waves with a bevy of offensive talent. The Penguins are a deeper team up front than the Canadiens and they won't be as easy to intimidate. The Senators will probably try to get under the skin of the Penguins, who can be very undisciplined at times, but their overreliance on Anderson may cost them against the Pens' shooters. Pittsburgh takes this series in six games.

Evgeni Malkin not only picked up a point in each game of Pittsburgh's first-round series against the Islanders but he had two points in every contest except one. Despite that, he wasn't completely satisfied with his play. Sidney Crosby also had a point in all of his playoff appearances in the first round after missing Game 1 because of his broken jaw. He notched three goals and six assists during his five-game scoring streak. Pascal Dupuis netted five goals in six matches versus the Isles, while adding two assists as well. Jarome Iginla had at least a point in all six matches of the series. He produced two goals and seven helpers over that span. Kris Letang and Paul Martin ended up as point-per-game players from the blueline with six points each in six games in the high-scoring series.

WHO'S NOT

Brenden Morrow contributed one assist in six contests in the quarterfinals. He also finished with a minus-3 rating and 20 hits. Matt Niskanen had three points and a plus-2 rating in four games a year ago in the playoffs, but this season he collected one assist and a minus-2 rating in six outings. Brandon Sutter concluded the club's first-round series with a goal and an assist in six matches.

NOTES

Deryk Engelland could easily draw into the lineup on the back end against Ottawa to oppose some of the big tough guys, like Chris Neil and Matt Kassian, whom the Senators like to use. If that happens then Simon Despres and Mark Eaton could sit. Jussi Jokinen should get back into Pittsburgh's lineup at some point in the series as well and don't be surprised if you see Fleury back in goal again before it's over.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Pittsburgh had the best power play in the first round with a 33.3 efficiency rating. The Pens scored seven times on 21 opportunities versus the Islanders and their penalty kill was superb as well in allowing just two goals against when short 20 times for a 90.0 percent kill rate.

Doug Murray scored two goals against the Islanders, which is extremely rare offensive support from the stay-at-home defenseman. Another unlikely goal scorer, Brooks Orpik netted the game winner in overtime to send the Penguins into the second round.

Daniel Alfredsson, the Sens 40-year-old captain, continued to chug along in the first round of the playoffs with two power-play goals and four assists in five games against Montreal. Offensive rearguard Erik Karlsson chipped in six points (one goal, five assists) as well in the quarterfinals. Kyle Turris closed out the opening round with a goal in three straight games and chipped in with an assist. He had five points in the five-game series. Jean-Gabriel Pageau sniped a hat trick in Game 3 and also collected two assists in Game 5 versus the Canadiens.

WHO'S NOT

Milan Michalek registered a goal and an assist in five games in Round 1 despite tying Alfredsson for the club lead with 15 shots on net. Colin Greening didn't have a point in five games against Montreal, while finishing with a minus-1 rating and five shots.

NOTES

Jason Spezza is making positive progress as he recovers from January back surgery. He resumed practices on Sunday and depending on how his body reacts in the next few days, the Senators could have their top center back as soon as this series against Pittsburgh.

Chris Neil didn't have a goal in the first round, but he did record a team-leading 29 hits and he contributed two assists, with 19 penalty minutes. Guillaume Latendresse was a healthy scratch for three straight games after playing in Games 1 and 2. Patrick Wiercioch is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but he probably wouldn't be playing even if he was healthy.

Ottawa scored on six power plays over 25 opportunities to earned the No. 5 spot with the man advantage after the first round. On the penalty kill, they allowed three goals on 19 chances which could bite them against Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't manhandle the New York Islanders the way some pundits, including myself, expected them to but they did move on into the second round in six games thanks to the relief netminding of backup Tomas Vokoun. The Ottawa Senators proved to be as stingy as advertised and behind the remarkable play of goaltender Craig Anderson, they quickly dispatched the Northeast Division champion Montreal Canadiens in five games. The Boston Bruins blew a 3-1 series lead against Toronto, but they stormed back from a three-goal deficit in the third period to claim Game 7 in overtime and advance into the second round. The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals exchanged wins on home ice throughout their quarterfinal series until the Blueshirts won the deciding contest in dominating fashion, by a score of 5-0, on the road in Game 7.

The Penguins will host Senators in the Eastern Conference Semifinals Tuesday night, while the Bruins will entertain the Rangers on Thursday. New York is the only team among the four that qualified for Round 2 of the postseason last season. Pittsburgh, Ottawa and Boston all lost in the first round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It should be pointed out again that you will see projected lineups below, but they are subject to change on a game-to-game and sometimes shift-to-shift basis.

Pittsburgh Penguins (1) vs. Ottawa Senators (7)

The Penguins defeated the Senators three times in three meetings during the regular season, with one victory coming in the shootout, and they outscored them by an 8-4 margin. Anderson started all three games for the Senators, while Marc-Andre Fleury and Vokoun shared starts in the regular season series. Vokoun, who should get the nod in Game 1 Tuesday night when Round 2 begins, played against Ottawa at the tail end of the year and stopped 34 of 35 shots in a 3-1 win.

Pittsburgh appeared to be drowning again in bad habits versus the Islanders in the first round. Their defensive play was not good enough and neither was the goaltending of Fleury, who posted a 3.40 GAA and an .891 save percentage. It was very similar to the woes they experienced in the 2012 playoffs against Philadelphia so a change had to be made. Vokoun entered the series in Game 5 and posted a shutout. He followed up that impressive performance by turning aside 35 of 38 shots in a 4-3 overtime win to send the Penguins into the second round.

The Senators and Canadiens may have begun what could be a very bitter rivalry with a physical and at times nasty opening-round series. Eric Gryba's devastating hit on Montreal's Lars Eller became the lightning rod for the ill will. Eller was knocked out on the play and Gryba got a two-game suspension. Ottawa coach Paul MacLean and Habs bench boss Michel Therrien exchanged verbal barbs throughout the series. Senators goalie Craig Anderson was the hockey-related story of the series, as his play was the main reason for Ottawa's victory. He posted a 1.80 GAA and a .950 save percentage to backstop his club into the second round.

The Penguins survived their scare against the Islanders, which should make them more comfortable against the Senators. Ottawa may not attack them with same speed that the Islanders did, which means that Pittsburgh could attack them in waves with a bevy of offensive talent. The Penguins are a deeper team up front than the Canadiens and they won't be as easy to intimidate. The Senators will probably try to get under the skin of the Penguins, who can be very undisciplined at times, but their overreliance on Anderson may cost them against the Pens' shooters. Pittsburgh takes this series in six games.

Evgeni Malkin not only picked up a point in each game of Pittsburgh's first-round series against the Islanders but he had two points in every contest except one. Despite that, he wasn't completely satisfied with his play. Sidney Crosby also had a point in all of his playoff appearances in the first round after missing Game 1 because of his broken jaw. He notched three goals and six assists during his five-game scoring streak. Pascal Dupuis netted five goals in six matches versus the Isles, while adding two assists as well. Jarome Iginla had at least a point in all six matches of the series. He produced two goals and seven helpers over that span. Kris Letang and Paul Martin ended up as point-per-game players from the blueline with six points each in six games in the high-scoring series.

WHO'S NOT

Brenden Morrow contributed one assist in six contests in the quarterfinals. He also finished with a minus-3 rating and 20 hits. Matt Niskanen had three points and a plus-2 rating in four games a year ago in the playoffs, but this season he collected one assist and a minus-2 rating in six outings. Brandon Sutter concluded the club's first-round series with a goal and an assist in six matches.

NOTES

Deryk Engelland could easily draw into the lineup on the back end against Ottawa to oppose some of the big tough guys, like Chris Neil and Matt Kassian, whom the Senators like to use. If that happens then Simon Despres and Mark Eaton could sit. Jussi Jokinen should get back into Pittsburgh's lineup at some point in the series as well and don't be surprised if you see Fleury back in goal again before it's over.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that Pittsburgh had the best power play in the first round with a 33.3 efficiency rating. The Pens scored seven times on 21 opportunities versus the Islanders and their penalty kill was superb as well in allowing just two goals against when short 20 times for a 90.0 percent kill rate.

Doug Murray scored two goals against the Islanders, which is extremely rare offensive support from the stay-at-home defenseman. Another unlikely goal scorer, Brooks Orpik netted the game winner in overtime to send the Penguins into the second round.

Daniel Alfredsson, the Sens 40-year-old captain, continued to chug along in the first round of the playoffs with two power-play goals and four assists in five games against Montreal. Offensive rearguard Erik Karlsson chipped in six points (one goal, five assists) as well in the quarterfinals. Kyle Turris closed out the opening round with a goal in three straight games and chipped in with an assist. He had five points in the five-game series. Jean-Gabriel Pageau sniped a hat trick in Game 3 and also collected two assists in Game 5 versus the Canadiens.

WHO'S NOT

Milan Michalek registered a goal and an assist in five games in Round 1 despite tying Alfredsson for the club lead with 15 shots on net. Colin Greening didn't have a point in five games against Montreal, while finishing with a minus-1 rating and five shots.

NOTES

Jason Spezza is making positive progress as he recovers from January back surgery. He resumed practices on Sunday and depending on how his body reacts in the next few days, the Senators could have their top center back as soon as this series against Pittsburgh.

Chris Neil didn't have a goal in the first round, but he did record a team-leading 29 hits and he contributed two assists, with 19 penalty minutes. Guillaume Latendresse was a healthy scratch for three straight games after playing in Games 1 and 2. Patrick Wiercioch is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury, but he probably wouldn't be playing even if he was healthy.

Ottawa scored on six power plays over 25 opportunities to earned the No. 5 spot with the man advantage after the first round. On the penalty kill, they allowed three goals on 19 chances which could bite them against Pittsburgh.

Boston Bruins (4) vs.New York Rangers (6)

New York won two games from Boston in a shootout and in overtime, respectively and lost one game to the Bruins in regulation. They met fairly early in the season though and the Rangers have changed a great deal since then because of trades with Columbus and San Jose. The Original Six rivals haven't played in the playoffs since 1973, which the Rangers won in five games. However, the Bruins have history on their side as they have won six of the eight series between the two squads.

The Bruins had their 3-1 series lead evaporate against Toronto in the quarterfinals, but they turned the table on the Maple Leafs in Game 7 when they rallied from a three-goal deficit late in the third period to set up Patrice Bergeron's series winner in overtime. Bergeron, who also scored the game-tying tally in the final minute of regulation, had only one marker in the previous six games of the series before scoring two big goals in Game 7.

Boston was led offensively in the opening round by the line of David Krejci (13 points), Milan Lucic (nine points) and Nathan Horton (seven points). Captain Zdeno Chara logged a lot of ice time and he got into the scoring act as well with eight points. Tuukka Rask was also excellent in the crease, while facing the second most rubber in the first round at 234 total shots.

New York dropped the first two games of the series, but they battled back on home ice to even the series. The Blueshirts became the first road team to win in the series in Game 7. The superb play of Daniel Girardi and Ryan McDonagh held Alex Ovechkin, who ended on a five-game pointless skid, and his linemates in check for most of the series as well.

The Rangers' new additions have been great in the postseason, with Derick Brassard (nine points) leading the charge offensively; Derek Dorsett (16 hits in six games) providing a physical presence and John Moore supplying some solid depth work on the back end. New York is also benefiting from the red hot play of Henrik Lundqvist, who posted back-to-back shutouts to shut down the Washington Capitals and their potent scorers. Mats Zuccarello had five points in the first round to give the Blueshirts the bulk of their offensive production behind Brassard, while Carl Hagelin had four.

This should be another physical series for both teams, as they play similar grinding styles. The battle between the pipes of Boston's Tuukka Rask and New York's Henrik Lundqvist should be an outstanding match-up. Rask has proven to be a reliable number one option for the B's, while Lundqvist has regained his Vezina Trophy form in the postseason. The Bruins and Rangers are still waiting for some important forwards to break out offensively, but the key to this series will likely be the Rangers' ability to shut down Krejci's line the same way they did to Ovechkin's. Rick Nash, Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan are way past due for some offense and they are too important to the Rangers to be quiet for another series. Also with Lundqvist playing as well as he is and the Bruins nearly getting knocked out by the upstart Maple Leafs, I'll take the Rangers in seven.

David Krejci failed to record a point just once in the opening series and he leads the playoffs in scoring entering Round 2 with 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in seven contests. Zdeno Chara amassed a goal and six helpers as he had a four-game scoring streak to end the series. Jaromir Jagr collected four assists and 21 shots in his last five outings after struggling in the first two games following his return from flu-like symptoms.

WHO'S NOT

Tyler Seguin had one assist in the seven-game series against Toronto and it came in Game 7. Brad Marchand led the Bruins with 18 goals during the regular season, but he didn't score any in seven playoff games while contributing three helpers. Chris Kelly didn't have a point in seven appearances versus the Leafs, while finishing with a minus-4 rating and six shots. Rich Peverley had one goal and no assists in six games after being a healthy scratch in Game 1.

NOTES

Dennis Seidenberg played only 37 seconds in Game 7 after he appeared to go leg on leg with Matt Frattin on a hit attempt by the Leafs forward. If he isn't available for Game 1 of Round 2 on Thursday then the Bruins will be missing their second-best defenseman. Andrew Ference has missed the team's past two games with an undisclosed injury and was seen wearing a walking boot at the arena on Monday. Wade Redden was scratched from the lineup in Game 7 after he returned from a one-game absence in Game 6 from an undisclosed injury. He might still be laboring and so he should be considered day-to-day.

The Bruins continue to struggle with the man advantage after going three for 20 on the power play in the first round. They also didn't perform very well on the penalty kill, while allowing five goals on 21 shorthanded situations.

Derick Brassard didn't get a point in his first two playoff games, but he then erupted for two goals and seven assists to record a five-game point streak. Mats Zuccarello notched a goal and four assists over his last five matches.

WHO'S NOT

Rick Nash had a team-leading 21 markers during the regular season, but he didn't find the back of the net in seven games in his first-round return to the playoffs despite amassing 22 shots. He ended up with two assists in the series. Ryan Callahan generated a goal and two assists in seven games against Washington. Brad Richards, who was relegated to the fourth line at the end of the series, potted one goal in seven contests.

NOTES

Ryane Clowe played in two games for the Rangers against Washington. His last appearance came in Game 5, but he had to leave early because of a suspected concussion issue. Darroll Powe also has an undisclosed injury, which is thought to be a possible concussion, which he sustained in Game 3 versus the Capitals. Marc Staal made an uplifting return in Game 3, but he didn't play in New York's next four games. He has been battling blurry vision and altered depth perception from a puck he took around his eye back on March 5 and it's uncertain if he'll be able to come back again before the end of the playoffs.

New York's power play was horrid in the first round. They converted just two goals on 28 opportunities and finished Round 1 ranked 15th of 16 teams. The penalty kill of the Rangers did a decent job considering how potent the Capitals' power play had been, but they still allowed three goals while they were shorthanded 16 times.